LIHUE — A man accused of causing a wreck that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old was arraigned Monday. Cody Safadago, 46, appeared before District Court Judge Michael Soong in a Kauai County courtroom on eight counts relating to
LIHUE — A man accused of causing a wreck that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old was arraigned Monday.
Cody Safadago, 46, appeared before District Court Judge Michael Soong in a Kauai County courtroom on eight counts relating to a fatal wreck Thursday.
Safadago is facing negligent homicide, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, driving without a valid driver’s license, reckless driving, inattention to driving, resisting arrest and accident involving a death or serious injury in connection to the death of Kayla Huddy-Lemn.
The Kapaa resident was heading north on Kuhio near the Courtyards at Waipouli about 10:45 p.m. when an oncoming Nissan pickup truck crossed the center line and struck her Mazda sedan.
Police said the Nissan was stolen from a home on Makaha Road in Kapaa moments before.
Huddy-Lemn was taken to Wilcox Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The driver of the truck, identified as Safadago, received non-life threatening injuries. He originally from Washington state, and is now believed to live in the Kalalau Valley.
According to the complaint, on April 27, Safadago, who is a multiple offender, caused the death of Lemn “by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol.”
The complaint also states that Safadago failed to stop at the scene of the wreck and used force against a responding officer, Michael Buratti, while Buratti was trying to take him into custody.
Safadago fled on foot, and was found near the Wailua Shopping Plaza.
His bail was originally set for $32,000, but was raised to $1 million. He remains in custody.
On Monday, the public defender assigned to the case, Marissa Agena, said Safadago qualified for public defender services, but the office couldn’t represent him because of a conflict of interest.
Soong set a preliminary hearing for later this week, and a new attorney will be appointed then.
He will be back in court Wednesday.
Safadago is scheduled to be sentenced in another case on disorderly conduct, resisting arrest using force and assault on a law enforcement officer charges on May 30, according to a Hawaii State Judiciary search.
